preložiť The coalition claims that the NGO law is not inspired by Russia. However, Danko discussed it directly in Moscow
The coalition's draft law on NGOs is facing harsh criticism from civil society, which also calls it a "Russian law". Although government officials deny any inspiration from Moscow, the Stop Corruption Foundation points out that Andrej Danko himself admitted negotiating the law during a visit to Russia.
NGOs and a part of the public criticise the upcoming law, which is supposed to tighten the control of funding of NGOs.
The law foresees the obligation to publish transparency statements, including the identification of donors above 5 000 euros per year and members of the bodies. Organisations would also have to register if they carry out lobbying and face an increased administrative burden.
Critics also call it a "Russian law", as NGOs in Russia are similarly restricted, albeit more severely. They are even labelled 'foreign agents' by the legislation .
Danko consulted in Moscow
Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected the "Russian" label, claiming that the organisers of the protests against the approval of the law were "spreading lies". According to the prime minister, the law complies with all European Union regulations.
However, the Stop Corruption Foundation drew attention to the words of the chairman of the SNS coalition. He admitted at a press conference that he had discussed the form of the law during his visit to Russia.
"When we talked about this law at the meeting we had in the Russian Federation in January this year, our colleagues from the Russian Parliament showed us the French law. I think that the French law on NGOs is much tougher in many provisions," Danko said at a press conference on Thursday (3 April).
In January, Danko travelled to Russia together with a delegation of MPs. He met, for example, with the Speaker of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin or with the head of Russian diplomacy Sergey Lavrov. Among other things, in Moscow he praised the wide range of products on offer in the supermarket.
The Stop Corruption Foundation says there is no doubt after Danka's words that the coalition is trying to enforce the Russian law.
"It is a scandal that the leader of a coalition party is consulting with a dictatorial country that calls Slovakia an enemy on how to crack down on active citizens. Yet in Russia, you will be arrested even for taking part in a protest," the foundation said in a post on its social network.